Kim Ha Seong’s teammate Jeremiah Estrada (San Diego Padres) set a new Major League record by throwing a fastball of 100.2 mph.
Estrada pitched on the 29th (Korean time) in a match against the Miami Marlins at Petco Park in San Diego, California, recording 12 pitches, 3 strikeouts, and no runs in one inning.
Estrada began his professional career in 2016 when he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 6th round of the Major League Rookie Draft with the 195th overall pick. He debuted in the big leagues in the 2022 season. Estrada, who throws a fastball over 100 mph, pitched in 5 games in his debut season, recording an ERA of 3.18. Last year, he pitched in 12 games, recording 1 hold and an ERA of 6.75, before donning a San Diego uniform this season.
Estrada, who was on the 26-man roster for the opening game of the Seoul Series on March 20, recorded two walks, one strikeout, and no runs in one inning at the time, but was soon sent down to the minor leagues. Then, on April 27, he was called up to the big leagues before a match against the Philadelphia Phillies and managed to survive the competition by throwing 4⅓ scoreless innings in two games in April. He recently set a new Major League record while performing impressively.
Estrada’s new record began on the 24th in a match against the Cincinnati Reds. Estrada took the mound in the 8th inning, first getting leadoff hitter Mike Ford to fly out to center field, then allowing a hit to Spencer Steer. From then on, history began. Estrada struck out Nick Martini with a 97.3 mph fastball and then struck out Jonathan India with an 89.1 mph slider. This was just the beginning.
Estrada took the mound again in the 9th inning, striking out Luke Maile with a 97.6 mph fastball, Will Benson with an 85.5 mph splitter, and Stuart Fairchild with a 97.3 mph fastball, racking up five consecutive strikeouts. Then, in a game against the New York Yankees on the 27th, he entered the game in the bottom of the 6th inning with a 0-1 deficit, runners on first and second, and one out. He struck out Aaron Judge with a 97.1 mph fastball and Alex Verdugo with an 84.8 mph splitter, ending the inning without losing a point.
The streak continued. Estrada pitched again in the 7th inning, striking out Giancarlo Stanton with a 97.9 mph fastball, Anthony Rizzo with an 86.2 mph splitter, and Gleyber Torres with a 98.5 mph fastball, inducing all of them to swing and miss. Estrada tied the Major League record of 10 consecutive strikeouts set by Jose Alvarado (Philadelphia Phillies) last April.
On the 29th. Estrada took the mound in the top of the 9th inning with a 4-0 lead against Miami and struck out the leadoff hitter, Jesus Sanchez, with an 86.1 mph splitter, setting a new Major League record. Not stopping there, Estrada continued his record. He struck out the next batter, Jake Burger, with a 100.2 mph fastball, and the final batter, Nick Gordon, with an 85 mph splitter, achieving the feat of 13 consecutive strikeouts.
According to MLB.com, after his accomplishment, Estrada grinned and said, “I can’t believe it, but I think I did it.” According to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com, it’s hard to know the record before 1961. Therefore, the record of 10 consecutive strikeouts set by Jose Alvarado last April remained the most consecutive strikeouts, but it became clear that he set a new Major League record.
After the game, manager Mike Shildt praised Estrada’s elite fastball, saying, “Estrada’s splitter was very good today, and the combination of his secondary pitch and his tremendous fastball led to 13 consecutive strikeouts.” Skip Schumaker, the manager of the opposing team, also praised Estrada, saying, “I’ve only seen him on video, but he is even better in reality. He could probably be the closer for many teams. He’s really talented.”
Josh Bell, who played for San Diego last year and exploded with three hits that day, said, “How could he have been released? How did San Diego get this player?” He was so surprised by the incredible pitcher who appeared in San Diego. Now, attention is focusing on how long Estrada will continue this record.
Most Commented